Developing innovative, circular solutions for wastewater treatment sludge

INCLUE Project Objectives

INCLUE will set up the first European doctoral training network on developing innovative, circular solutions for the treatment of sludge containing pollutants.

INCLUE will train 11 creative and entrepreneurially-minded DCs via an international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary research training program in the field of sludge pre-treatment combined with state-of-the-art bioconversion techniques and multi-level toxicity assessment, for the effective removal and/or recovery of both hazardous and valuable compounds from municipal and industrial sludges.

The success of the program is guaranteed via a unique combination of state-of-the-art PhD research, intersectoral secondments, international mobility and interdisciplinary platform-wide courses.

Research Objectives

Develop and optimise sustainable techniques to enhance the properties and composition of sludge through removal of (in)organic pollutants to eliminate any adverse effects for sludge application (i) in a subsequent bioconversion process or (ii) directly as a fertiliser on land.

Develop augmented fermentative bioconversion processes to produce renewable chemicals and fuels, and to recover nutrients from municipal and industrial sludges, potentially combined with pre-treatment technologies.

Create tools to assess the overall environmental performance of treated sludges towards toxicity, pollutant soil dynamics and agricultural
fertilising value in a combined decision support tool (WP3) for 5 different types of pollutants: pesticides, endocrine disrupting compounds, heavy metals, PFAS and antibiotics. Develop a socio-economic evaluation tool, to support decision-making and societal acceptance.

INCLUE: an interdisciplinary project and a truly intersectoral and international consortium

INCLUE RESEARCH FOCUS

WP1

Upgrading sludge properties via innovative treatment processes

WP2

Renewable chemicals and fuels production via augmented sludge bioconversion

WP3

Eco-Impact Assessment

News & Blog

Science, Snowfall, and Sludge: My Secondment at KU Leuven

February 15, 2026

I arrived in Belgium expecting two weeks of scientific learning. I did not expect to be welcomed by snowfall, glowing city squares, and the quiet kindness of strangers helping me carry my luggage through the streets of Mechelen. As I stepped out into the cold evening air, snow had just started falling across the city. Coming from Glasgow, I was prepared for rain, but not for the surreal beauty of a Belgian winter evening illuminated by soft red lights and fresh snow. Tired from travelling and carrying heavy luggage, I

Bridging Research and Learning: Nitin Kumar Presents to a Broad Academic Audience at the University of Glasgow

February 10, 2026

A diverse academic audience gathered at the University of Glasgow to hear doctoral researcher Nitin Kumar (DC11) present his work titled “Holistic Sensing of Pollutants and Ecotoxicity in Wastewater Treated Sludge”, a topic that is far more fascinating than it might first appear. The presentation offered an insightful introduction to the science of sludge, a topic that, despite its everyday relevance, is often overlooked in mainstream scientific discourse. Kumar guided the audience through the fundamental concepts underpinning his research, breaking down technical ideas into clear and relatable terms without sacrificing

A Chapter in Southern France: My Secondment at INRAE

January 20, 2026

During my PhD, I had the incredible opportunity to complete a secondment at INRAE in Narbonne, an experience that has left a lasting impact on me both professionally and personally. From a scientific perspective, this secondment was an intense and rewarding learning journey. I significantly deepened my practical analytical skills and expanded my knowledge in environmental research. Working alongside colleagues from diverse scientific backgrounds allowed me to view my research through new lenses and engage in valuable interdisciplinary discussions that both challenged and inspired me. Beyond the lab, the setting itself played

What-er-Congress! DC4 presents at the Nieuwjaars Watercongres 2026 (VC76)

January 9, 2026

At the start of the year, Andrea Deiana (DC4) had the chance to present his work under the INCLUE project during the Nieuwjaars Watercongres (VC76), a gathering of the Dutch Water sector at TU Delft. Increasing water pollution from emerging contaminants, costly wastewater treatment plants struggling to keep pace, and the desire to recover valuable nutrients were among the challenges discussed during the congress, accompanied by a provocative question: ‘The time is ripe, and we are ready to reap the fruits, but how do we do it?’ “Perhaps with some

Finding Perspective in Patterns: Reflections from the Scottish Environmental & Analytical Chemistry Symposium

December 17, 2025

Conferences have a way of pulling you out of your own data and reminding you where your work fits in the bigger picture. I recently attended the 14th Scottish Environmental and Analytical Chemistry Symposium, hosted at the University of Aberdeen, where I presented a poster on my PhD research and spent a day immersed in discussions spanning environmental monitoring, analytical innovation, and applied chemistry. My poster focused on the development of array-based fluorescent sensing strategies for detecting micropollutants and assessing potential ecotoxicity in treated sewage sludge. Sludge is increasingly viewed

Encouraging Young Minds: Nitin Kumar Engages Pupils in Chemistry at Paracetamol Workshops

December 12, 2025

On 2 December 2025, University of Glasgow doctoral researcher Nitin Kumar (DC11) participated in a series of Paracetamol-themed laboratory workshops for a group of pupils who travelled from Dumfries. Aimed at providing hands-on experience in chemistry, the sessions introduced students to practical aspects of pharmaceutical science while offering a glimpse into life as a researcher. The workshops were divided into two parts. In the first half, Kumar and a couple of colleagues delivered a short talk about their academic journeys and research projects, sharing insights into the day-to-day work of